Keeping Active!

Aerobics at Ivanhoe

 Jasmine Toronis, Year 12, The Ridgeway Campus

While this year’s ups and downs have come with considerable disappointment, equally, we have had a very unique opportunity to perceive aerobics in its full authenticity; a sport that promotes individuality and inclusivity. 

With all the challenges that lockdowns have thrown at us, it is safe to say that we have been able to adapt to a community that is stronger (physically and mentally) and more supportive than ever. 

This year we have so beautifully been able to channel everyone’s passion to perform and used it to strive towards creating a legacy that will far exceed the existence of us all. This year has been really vital for the squad’s development and, as a result of the perseverance and hard work of all our incredible women, we have been able to create a legacy that envisions growth and improvement for the upcoming years. 

Whilst the future of aerobics this year is uncertain due to the cancellation of major competitions (including nationals in the Gold Coast), we know one thing for sure… we have certainty that the future of aerobics at Ivanhoe is in good hands for many years to come. 

We are so proud of our hardworking Aeroqueens who have fostered such positive energy through all the challenges this year has thrown at us. Stay tuned for the accomplishments yet to come.

This past semester of aerobics has been quite a complicated ride. From having to start later in the season, to having to train online through three different lockdowns in three different terms of the school year. 

Overall, this year of aerobics has been tough with having to practice online, but to compensate for that, we had the opportunity to attend multiple holiday training sessions along with the full-day training session we had towards the end of term two. 

However, despite all the training this year, the National Aeroschools Qualifier was cancelled because of COVID restrictions and quarantine. 

Other than the lockdowns and competitions being cancelled, we still have two competitions to look forward to this year, one school display night and a state competition later this year. 

Aerobics in 2021 has been quite fun, being able to train and have fun with my friends every Tuesday mornings, all while training towards competitions later in the year. - Olivia Ross, Year 9, University Campus

Athletics at Ivanhoe

By Mr Branigan, Director of Co-Curricular Learning

At the conclusion of the AGSV winter sporting season, for most students, there is a significant break in sporting involvement.  For some though, the compulsory winter season rolls into the non-compulsory spring season, which has the options of Athletics (Track and Field) and Water Polo. 

Athletics holds a special place in both the history of Ivanhoe Grammar School and the Associated Grammar Schools of Victoria (AGSV) as it was the first sporting competition contested by the AGSV in 1920.  

For Ivanhoe, Athletics has been a successful pursuit, with the School securing 24 premierships in the 100 year history of the AGSV Combined Sports (20 boys premierships and four girls premierships).  The Athletics team is also the School’s largest sporting team.  In a normal season the team is comprised of between 120 and 130 students typically ranging from Year 6 to Year 12.  On some occasions, we have even had Year 5 students in the team!  With the range of ages and variety of events to train for, we do sprints, middle distance, horizontal jumps, high jump and throws. 

There is great opportunity for senior students to demonstrate and develop leadership and communication skills - skills that can serve our athletes well in all aspects of their lives.  In addition, many of our high performing senior students graduate to become coaches of the team in the years immediately after school.

The Athletics season is a very short season.  In a typical year it only has a focused training window of approximately six weeks.  During the six-week block the team trains on a Monday and Wednesday afternoon as well as on a Saturday morning.  The Monday and Wednesday training sessions are localised to each campus and the Saturday training session is a Cross Campus training session.  With such a short season, we rely on our students commencing training with some fitness and form already developed. 

Fortunately, we have an ever improving cross-country program which has very strong links with the Ivanhoe Harriers Athletics Club (it is an Alumni club) and many of our talented athletes train with this squad all year around. However, it would be wonderful to see more students taking up the opportunity of joining the Tuesday and Thursday afternoon training sessions at Chelsworth Park.

In addition to many of our cross-country athletes being part of the athletics team, the team relies on many, many footballers, netballers, basketballers and all our other sports performers trying their hand at the training and the events.  It is interesting to note the involvement in athletics teams gone by future professional athletes, who still found time to participate and were motivated to participate, such as Dylan Buckley, Kyle Langford, Nikolas Cox and Alice Teague-Neeld.

The team trains specifically for the AGSV Combined Athletics Sports which typically takes place in the second last week of Term 3.  

While the selection of the team is ruthless (only one person can compete in each event) we do our best to foster participation and focus on each individual improving their personal best, no matter what that might be.  It is for that reason that we encourage anyone and everyone to try their hand at training with the athletics team.  

While they might not be ‘good’ enough to make the team this year, they might be ‘good’ enough the following year – puberty can cause some pretty amazing improvements, as can 12 months of dedication!  Irrespective of selection though, every student can improve and can learn.  Some of what they learn may also assist their performance in the other sports which they participate in.

At the time of writing it looks likely that the AGSV Combined Carnival will be canceled but hopefully, we can see an increased number of students representing the Ivanhoe Harriers on the track during summer and see a large amount of interest in getting involved in the athletics team in 2022!  

Beyond the Classroom with The Duke of Edinburgh International Award

By Sam Bevacqua, Year 11, Plenty Campus

Do you enjoy service or being active?  Are you someone who has or wants to develop skills in a specific area? Are you part of a club or youth group? Do you enjoy creative arts, drama, or music? Or do you have a passion for sports or physical activity? If you answered yes to any of these questions, I recommend you register to take part in The Duke of Edinburgh International Award.  

Maybe you answered no to all these questions, but you are wondering how you can become more active, challenge yourself to fulfil more goals, develop a passion or have a greater impact on your community. You should also register for the Award journey. I have recently completed a level of The Duke of Edinburgh Award and want to share how the Duke of Edinburgh inclusive program can help you achieve your personal best.

What is the Duke of Edinburgh Award?

The Duke of Edinburgh International Award Program is about; giving back through community service, challenging yourself to improve your skills and broaden your interests, while also improving your health, fitness, spirit of adventure and teamwork.   

You have complete flexibility over the personal challenges you set and how you tailor your activities to commit to the Duke of Edinburgh journey.  For instance, your service component might be as diverse as media, health, environmental, charity, volunteer tutoring, coaching, leadership, or youth group roles.  

Your skill development might be in performance, debating, cooking, art, conservation, writing, gardening, languages, musical instrument, arts, chess, design, or sport related.  Physical recreation goals may relate to school sport, community sport, athletics, dance, gymnastics, or a personal fitness program.  Expedition programs are equally broad but include a short trial and practice journey.  The Annual Cadet Camp qualifies for the physical journey, and so do many of the school-based outdoor education camps and expeditions.   However, as a guide to the range of activities that qualify, for my Gold Residential Journey, I have committed to supporting and restoring native wildlife habitats and volunteering in a wildlife care program rehabilitating injured wildlife at an under-resourced facility.

Overall, the Award Program is comprised of three levels and four sections.  At Ivanhoe Grammar School many of the rich array of co curricular opportunities on offer qualify and satisfy the criteria of voluntary service, skills, and the adventurous journey. However, you can also include, and claim, service and skills undertaken and developed beyond our school community in your Duke of Edinburgh record book.  This picture provides a quick guide to the structure, time commitment and levels of the program.

What types of Opportunities are available?

The Award Philosophy emphasises balanced personal growth and positive impact. There is immense flexibility and autonomy about the opportunities you pursue in each activity area.  The most important features of your journey is having a positive impact on the lives of others in your community through the service you undertake, as well as achieving personal growth through the activities you commit to.  Successfully completing the Award Program is as simple as choosing to register with the program and committing to regular effort and improvement over a sustained period of time . 

Along the way you will gain valuable experiences, develop greater discipline, meet like-minded people, and may even be surprised by your resilience and potential to develop and make a positive contribution to your community.  

My greatest surprise did not come from the areas I anticipated when I commenced the program (service, adventure, and skill development), but from the physical journey I committed to.

How do I get started?

While the Award Program is self-directed, you are not alone when you commit to The Duke of Edinburgh International Award program.  We are fortunate that our school is an Award Centre, and there is support and mentoring available. 

You can register to take part in the Award by:

a)      Emailing Mr Chris Branigan on: chris.branigan@ivanhoe.com.au if you are based at The Ridgeway Campus and University Campus –

b)      Emailing Mr Mark Barnett on Mark.Barnett@ivanhoe.com.au if you are based at Plenty Campus.

I am also now registered as a Young Award Leader, so if you are uncertain about how to set goals, tailor activities, prepare reports, navigate the online record system, or anything else about each section of the Award, you can always email me on sbevac22@igs.vic.edu.au 

Over the next year I will also arrange regular meetings for Award participants either on campus or on teams to help guide you successfully complete your own journey.  From personal experience, I know that many students are already committed to various activities that qualify for the Award, but you may just need to introduce a slight shift in direction, refine your goals or develop your record keeping skills to succeed.  

As we are currently living in lockdown and under significant restrictions imposed due to Covid-19, you may be wondering how you can possibly be more active and commit to greater levels of activity. I encourage you to commit anyway, as it is in these circumstances that you may find the structured framework the Duke of Edinburgh offers will provide a distraction or the motivation you need right now. 

 At the time of writing, it is not known when restrictions will lift, but we can still be proactive during the uncertainty. Even during the current restrictions,  physical activity is still allowed each day and service and skill-building activities are available in the virtual world.  The adventurous journey can then be completed when restrictions lift and allow camps again.  

Trust me, you will not regret registering for The Duke of Edinburgh International Award Program and committing to your journey today!